



VV 




> V 















1 




4 O 



* * 










7.^' A 





«bV* 



CT 






x 

/ X;W?/ %^S\/ % 



<-\ 









,0 






,-* < 





& 








>v 




^ *V%{ 






/\ 




v.%* .• 







- o 











* ^ 




***** 

/.v 

0° .'i^> °o 




Synoptical History of the Towns of 
Kings County from 1 525 to 
Modern Times 



jntaining the origin of the names of the Streets, 
Avenues and Lanes 



led from the manuscripts of Stiles,, Ostrander, Furnam, 
and other historians 



by 

E. A. CUSTER 



F/ZJ 






XiWLf 



® 



ORIGIN OF STREET NAMES— THE PERSONS, OR FAM- 
ILIES, AFTER WHOM THE STREETS OF BROOK- 
LYN WERE NAMED. 

As many of the streets, lanes, avenues and alleys have 
been made from paths, roads, and highways since 1860, it 
is not possible, in 'a work of this size and object to fully ex- 
plain the origin of all the later named streets, etc. 

Many of the new streets were named by aldermanic vote, 
after prominent (but otherwise unimportant) property-hold- 
ers, real-estate speculators, minerals, points of the compass, 
cities in Europe, and other countries from which the ances- 
tor of holders of large property interests had emigrated. 

These emigrants not having been prominent in the an- 
nals of the city except as thrifty holders, or aceumualtors 
of land, and as they are not historical personages except as 
purchasers of cheap land, now immensely valuable, we have 
omitted mentioning them. These land-holders were only, 
if at all, conspicuous as the progenitors of large families, 
whose descendants now take much pride, and derive great 
satisfaction in the mere fact of natural descent from their 
plebian, economical, and domestic ancestors. 

As in other large cities, the names of some of the old„r 
streets have been changed at the demand of inhabitants on 
said streets. We do not have space to give the history of 
these changes, their cause (often based on snobbishness, race 
prejudice, or family pride), or a list of the earlier names, 
and their present substitutes. A description o<f the causes, 
or objects in the background, that brought enough influence 
to bear to effect the changes, would make very humorous 
and entertaining literature. 

We have omitted any reference to streets bearing baptis- 
mal names such as Alice, Christopher; natural history, as 
Garden, Laurel, Rose, Ruby, Cypress, Emerald; inanimate 
objects, such as Quay, Cross, Gem, Vine, etc. 

3 ■:■■■] 



Ainslie street — After James Ainslie, a judge. 

Lorimer street — From the middle name of John Lorimer 

Graham. 
Amerman — After Kirck Amerman. 
Bais-leys lane- — After Thomas Baisley. 
Bedford avenue — Prom the tract of land known by that 

name. 
Bennett — From the Bennett and Bentyn purchase in 1636. 
Berger — From Hans Hansen Berger, a pioneer in the "Wool- 

Bogt." 
Boerum — After the Boerum family, especially J. Boerum, 

farmer. 
Bogart— After Tennis Gybertsen Bogart, an early settler of 

the "Wallabout. 
Brevoort — After J. Carson Brevoort. 
Burnet — After Martin Burnet, a wheelwright of Fulton 

street. 
Bushwick — From the old district in Dutch times, known as 

"Boswyck." 
Canarsie avenue — Was formerly called "Glove Road." 
Ch'auncey — After Commodore Chauncey. 
Cheever — After Land Commissioner Samuel Cheever. 
Clarkson avenue — After Matthew Clarkson. 
Coney Island avenue — Formerly Coney Island Road, and in 

the 40's as Coney Island Plank Road. 
Clinton avenue — After Governor Clinton. 
Conover— After John Conover. 
Conselyea — After Lieutenant Joseph Conselyea. 
Cooper — After John Cooper. 

Cortelyou — From Jaques Cortelyou of the "Veehte House." 
Crooke avenue — After General P. S. Crooke. 
Dahlgren — After Commodore Dahlgren. 
Debevoise — After the early family of same name, especially 

Charles Debevoise. 
Decatur — After Commodore Decatur. 



Degraw — After James De Graw. 

De Kalb — After the German General Baron De Kalb. 

Delaplaine — After the De Laplaine family. 

Denton — From Denton's Mill in Gowanus. 

Denyse lane — After Denyses Ferry. 

Ditmas avenue — So named from the H. S. Ditmas Farm. 

De Voe street — After the De Voes of Bushwick. 

Division avenue — From the boundary between the cities of 

Williamsburgh and Brooklyn. 
Doughty — After Lieutenant C. J. Doughty. 
Duryea — After J. R. Duryea. 
East Broadway — Was formerly "Cow Dane." 
Erasmus street — So named by Gerit L. Maitense in 1834, 

after Erasmus Hall property. 
Farragut — After Admiral Farragut. 
Fellows — After Brigadied General Fellows. 
Fillmore — After President Millard Fillmore. 
Flatbush avenue — After "t Vlaacke Bosch," or flat bush, or 

woods. 
Flatlands, after the Flatlands Plains known to the Dutch as 

"t Vlaacke Landt." 
Flushing- — After the town of same name. 
Foster — After James Foster. 

Frost street — After Edmund Frost, real estate dealer. 
Fulton — After Robert Fulton; formerly "the king's high- 
way." 
Freeman — After Hon. Gabriel Freeman. 
Garden — After the Military Garden. 
Gerritsen — From the Gerritsen estate in that portion of city 

included between Fulton avenue, Smith and Nevins 

streets. 
Graham — After Augustus Graham. 
Gravesend avenue — So named in 1875. 
Gowanus — From the tribe of that name (Gowanis). 
Greene — After General Greene. 



Hanson — After Kans Hansen. 

Hegeman — After Adrian Hegeman, third constable of 

"Breuckelen." 
Hendrix — Prom the Ephriam Hendricks family. 
Hubert — After Captain Joseph Hubert. 
Hicks — After George Hicks of Doughty street. 
Howard — After Joseph Howard. 
Humboldt — After Alexander Humboldt. 
Jackson — After Samuel Jackson. 
Johnson street — After General Jeremiah Johnson. 
Joralemon — After Dennis Joralemon. 
Irving — After Judge Irving. 

Kosciusko — After the great liberator, Thaddeus Kosciusko. 
Kossuth — After the great patriot and statesman of Hungary. 
Lefferts avenue — After Leffert Lefferts, Royalist. 
Lawrence street — So named by Dr. Ad. Vanderveer. 
Livingston — After P. Livingston, who lived opposite Coenties 

Slip on the river shore, at the foot of present Jorolemon 

street. 
Lott — After Abraham Lott. 
Ludlam — After Silas Ludlam. 
Laquer — After the Laquer family. 
Marsh — After John Marsh. 
Martense — After Jooris Martense. 
McDougal — After General McDougal. 
Meserole — After Abraham Meserole. 
Melrose street — After "Melrose Hall," built prior to the 

Revolution. 
Middagh — Afterthe family of Aert Anthonissen Middagh, a 

Dutch settler of Wallabout. 
Montauk — From the Indian tribe of that name. 
Maujer street — After Daniel Maujer, Alderman. 
Moultrie — After General Moultrie. 
Patchen — After Ralph Patchen. 



Nassau avenue — After the city of the same name in 

Germany. 
Nichols avenue — After Governor Richard Nicolls. 
Pierrepont — After Hez. B. Pierrepont. 
Putnam — After General Putnam. 

Polhemus — After the family of Rev. Theodorus Polhemus. 
Pulaski — After the Polish Count Casimir Pulaski. 
Prospect avenue — So named by Dr. Adrian Vanderveer. 
Provost — After David Provoost, first constable of "Breuck- 

elen." 
Rapelye — Prom John Rapalje, owner of the largest estate in 

Brooklyn, previous to the Revolution. 
Red Hook — From "Roode Hoek," from the color of soil at 

what is about Hicks and Huntington streets. 
Remsen — From the Remsen family, probably Jous Remsen. 
Richardson street — Was named after Lemuel Richardson, a 

pioneer. 
Ryerson — From Adriaen Ryerson. 
Sackett — After Samuel Sackett. 
Sands street — After Joshua Sands. 

Sanford street — Was named after Edward Sanford, a lawyer. 

Schenck — After Martin Schenck, a farmer, at the Wallabout. 

Seigel street — Named after General Siegel. 

Seabring — From I. Seabring's Mill, at the present Hicks and 
Huntington streets, about 1766. 

Skillman street — After John Skillman, St. 

Smith — Named after Benjamin Smith, a tavern keeper. 

Stillwell — After Richard Stillwell, Royalist. 

Stryker street — After Cornelius Stryker estate. 

Stuyvesant — From Governor Stuyvesant. 

Suydam street — After Cornelius Suydam property. 

Union street — So named by T. J. Bergen, 1868. 

Vanbrunt — After Rutgert Van Brunt, Royalist. 

Vanderbilt street — After John Vanderbilt. 

Vandyke— From the family of Claes Thomas Van Dyck. 



Vannostrand — After Losee Van Nostrand. 

Vanderveer street — Named after Dr. A. Vanderveer. 

Van Sicklen — After Court Van Sicklen. 

Varet street- — 'Was named after Lewis F. Varette, a land 
speculator. 

Wallabout — From "Wool-Bogt," or "Bay of the Foreigners," 
or Walloons. 

Windsor place — After "Windsor Terrace," so named by Rob- 
ert Bell. 

Withers street — After Reuben Withers, who owned the 
Houston Street Ferry. 

Wyckoff street — After N. Wyckoff, banker. 



1524 — It is claimed by some that Captain Giovanna de Veue- 
zane, a Florentine in the employ of the King of 
France, was the first European to set foot on Long 
Island. The claim is disputed and the evidence pre- 
sented is not sufficient to sustain the assertion. 

1609, Sept. 3 — Hendrick Hudson, a Dutch navigator, an- 
chored in Gravesend Bay, and doubtless found the 
bivalves a rare treat. Afterwards, with his vessel the 
Half Moon, he sailed up the Hudson. 

1621 — On the 3d of June, 16 21, the Dutch West India Com- 
pany received its charter from the States General. 

1623 — A company of settlers was sent out from Holland in 
1623 under the auspices of Peter Minuet, Director 
General of the Colony, some of whom settled at the 
Wallabout. They were the first actual settlers within 
the limits of the present city of Brooklyn. 

1625 — The first public official ever holding office either in 
Kings County or Brooklyn, was appointed in 1625. 
His title was Superintendent, his jurisdiction within 
the limits of Brooklyn, and his duties were to con- 
trol the police and keep the peace within the town. 
The town of Brooklyn was named after a village 
in Holland. It was spelt in many ways, to wit: 
Breucklyn, Breuckland, Broucklyn, Brooklyn, Brook- 
land and Brookline, signifying marshy land. The 
title as given to our city was very appropriate, as our 
older citizens remember its marshy character in for- 
mer years. 



1636 — The first grant of land on Long Island, of which there 
is any record, was to Jacob Van Corlear, in 1636. It 
was located in the present town of Flatlands, then 
called Amersfoordt. 

In the same year Jansen de Rapelye purchased a 
tract at the Wallabout from the Indians. It was in 
the neighborhood of Hewes street, as at present laid 
out. 

1637 — William Adriance Bennett purchased about 900 acres 
in this year at Gowanus. 

1642 — Ferry established by Cornelius Dickson betwe€fi 
Brooklyn and New York. 

1643 — At the time of the settlement of Kings County, 
Gravesend was looked upon as a suitable location for 
a city. Courts were only constituted. The records 
show that on the 1st of January, 1643, at a Court of 
Sessions held at Gravesend, a soldier was convicted 
for having left his station while on duty. Gravesend 
was not settled by the English. A settlement was 
formed with the consent of the Dutch General by 
Lady Deborah Moody, who called it Gravenzande, 
after a city in Holland. 

1645 — A settlement was formed in the neighborhood of 
Smith street, near this present building, by Jan 
Evertson Bout, and called Breucklin. Amongst the 
settlers the names of Cowenhoven and Corneillison 
appear. 

1646 — In this year the settlement was incorporated as a 
village and called Breucklin. Jan Evertson Bout, its 
founder, was elected Schepen. 

10 



1653 Governor Stuyvesant granted to the respective 

towns of Brecuklin, Midwout (Platbush) and Amers- 
fordt, a form of government suitable to the wants of 
the people. 

1654 — A church was built by the Dutch at Midwout (Plat- 
bush). Domine Polhemus became the pastor. He was 
required to preach alternately in Flatbush, Breucklin 
and Amersfordt. He served three congregations from 
1654 to 1676. Prior to his coming to Long Island, 
religious Dutchmen were compelled to cross the East 
River to attend service. 

1660 — A church was built in Brooklyn in 1660 and had for 
its first pastor Domine Silwyns. The First Reformed 
Church in Jerolemon street thus has been in exist- 
ence as a religious society 225 years. 

In this year (1660) the residents at the Walla- 
bout petitioned the Director General for leave to form 
a village on the margin of the river between the lands 
of Bogeart & Kipp. The petition was granted on the 
27th of February, 1664. 

1660 — The first settler on the west side of Long Island was 
Anthony Jansen Von Salee, an African who had been 
a pirate. On the 1st of August, 1639, Director Gen- 
eneral Keift gave him a lease of 200 acres for ten 
years on the southwest corner of Ivy place, lying over 
against Coney place, and having a privilege of 253 
rods on the bay. He built a house, and subsequently 
received a patent for the tract which became known 
as "Anthony Jansen's bowery." In 1660 Van Salee 
fearing the Indians and desiring the protection se- 
cured by the palisadoes which surrounded Graven- 

11 



zande, exchanged with Nicholas Stillwell his bowery 
for a house in the village. 

1661 — The town of Breucklin contained 30 families and 134 
inhabitants. In this year the first schoolmaster made 
his appearance in Breucklin. His duties were multi- 
form, as besides teaching the young ideal how to 
shoot, he was required to lead the singing in church, 
ring the bell, dig the graves, and serve legal notices. 
As the inhabitants could not raise sufficient for his 
support, upon petition of the School and Schepen of 
the Court of Brooklyn, the Director General and 
Council of the New Netherlands, voted to pay him 
annually $20 in wampum. The Dutch always advo- 
cated the cause of education. It was customary with 
them to send a schoolmaster with the minister. 
Parochial schools were established in connection with 
each church. These schools combined secular and 
religious instruction. The Bible and Catechism were 
taught, and in order to inpress it on their minds, the 
minister would meet with the school and catechise 
the children. The drilling was severe, and much 
dreaded, both by boys and girls. 

1664 — A convention was held at Flatbush to send delegates 
to Holland to represent to the States General and the 
West India Company the distressed state of the coun- 
try; a similar convention was held in New York in 
April following. 

1664 — September 8, 16 64, was an eventful day in the colony 
of the New Netherlands, of which Kings County 
formed part. On that day the Dutch surrendered 
possession to the English. Peter Stuyvesant who had 
acted as Director General from May 11, 1647, was 
succeeded by Colonel Richard Nicholls, who proceeded 

12 



to organize a civil government, and to secure that 
called a convention to meet in Hempstead, Queens 
County, in March, 1665. 

Long Island now formed a portion of the territory 
conveyed by Charles II. on the 12th of March, 1664, 
patent to his brother James, Duke of York and 
Albany. This patent being granted, a fleet was fitted 
and sailed for the New World, Accompanying the 
fleet were commissioners clothed with power to settle 
all difficulties in the New England Colonies, as well 
as to take possession of the Dutch province of New 
Amsterdam, and bring its inhabitants into subjection. 

It might be well to state that the Mohawk Indians 
called Long Island Pan Manacke. It was sometimes 
called Mattanwake and Pamunke. In the patent is- 
sued to the Duke of York it is called Meitowax, sig- 
nifying a good thing or place. That the Indians had 
a proper appreciation of Kings County, every loyal 
resident will bear cheerful testimony. 

1665 — An assembly of delegates from each town under the 
jurisdiction of the Duke of York convened at Hemp- 
stead, March 1. 

Kings County was represented as follows: Brook- 
lyn by Jan Evertson Bout and Frederick Lubbutzen. 
Bushwick by John Stealman and Gisbert Tunis. Flat- 
bush by John Strycker and Hindrick Yorrison. Flat- 
lands by Elbert Elbertson, and Roelofla Martens. 
Gravesend by John Bowne and James Hubbard. New 
Utrecht by Jaques Cortelleau and Younker Fosse. 

A code of laws called the Duke's laws was adopted 
and continued in force many years. In this year 
Long Island, with Staten Island, was created a shire 
and called Yorkshire, out of respect to the Duke, the 
English proprietor. The shire was divided into two 

13 



districts called the East and West Riding. Kings 
County with Newtown was called the West Riding. 

1668 — A Court House was erected in the town of Gravesend 
upon land in the neighborhood of the present Dutch 
Church. 

1673— On the 7th of August, 1673, a Dutch fleet of 23 ves- 
sels, under the command of Commodores Evertson and 
Eenckes, anchored in the harbor of New York. The 
island was in a defenseless condition, and on the 9th 
the officers in command surrendered to the Dutch. 
The inhabitants rejoicingly accepted Captain Colve as 
Governor, and proceeded to restore the old official 
titles. Colve's authority was short lived. New Neth- 
erlands was conceded to the English by the terms of 
peace between England and Holland March 6, 1674, 
and on the 10th of November Colve formally sur- 
rendered to Governor James Edmund Andross, who 
took possession in behalf of his Brittannic Majesty 
the King of Great Britain. 

1683— On November 1, 1683, Kings County was created. It 
was composed of the five towns of Brooklyn, Bush- 
wick, Flatlands, Flatbush and New Utrecht. 

1685— An act was passed November 7, 1685, removing the 
Court of Sessions of Kings County from Gravesend to 
Flatbush. 

1686— In this year a Court House was built in Flatbush, and 
the Court was removed to the new building. This 
structure remained until 175 8 when it was burned 
and a new one erected in its place costing $448. The 
money was raised by assessment. It continued until 

14 



1792 when owing to its dilapidated condition a new 
Court House and Jail was built, at a cost of $2,944.71. 
This building stood until November 30, 1832, when 
it was destroyed by fire. Ever since that time the 
Court House and Jail has been in Brooklyn. After 
the fire, and until the new jail was built, the Sheriff 
took his prisoners to the old Bridewell in New York. 



EARLY OFFICIALS. 

Shortly after the conquest by the English, the 
towns of Brooklyn, Bushwyck, Midwood, Amersfordt 
and New Utrecht were formed into a separate district 
for certain purposes by the name of the "Five Dutch 
towns." A secretary, or clerk was especially ap- 
pointed for these towns, with the limited power to 
take acknowledgments of transports, and manage set- 
tlements, and probate of wills. The first to fill this 
important office was Herr Nicasius de Silli, a : resident 
of New Utrecht, who held the office from 1671 to 
1674. He was succeeded by Michael Haindle, who 
continued in office until 1670. From 1676 to 1678 
Tunis Guis Bergen was one of the trustees and over- 
seers. He was the ancestor of the Bergen family. 
Since that date until the present time, the name ap- 
pears conspicuously in the annals of the village town 
and city. The duty of the trustees was in conjunc- 
tion with the constable to hold town courts for the 
trial of cases under £5. They were also required to 
visit the residence of persons lately deceased, and 
make inquiries concerning the cause of his death, and 
if he left a will; if no will was found, the constable 
in the presence of the overseers was, within 48 hours, 

15 



to send after the estate and make an inventory in 
writing, and deliver it to the Justice of the Peace. 
The overseers and constable also levied the assess- 
ments. They were elected by the voice of the people. 
It was a compulsory office. If any person was chosen 
and refused to serve he forfeited £ 10 which was ap- 
propriated to defray the expenses of the town. 

1691 — Jacob Vande Water became Town Clerk, holding office 
until 1705. 

1705 — Henry Ffilkin became clerk in 1705 and continued in 
office until 1714. 

The succeeding town clerks were: Samuel Gar- 
retson, 1714 to 1716; I. M. Sputing, 1716 to 1727; 
Adrian Hegeman, 1727 to 1752; Simon Boerum, 175 2 
to 1761; Leffert Lefferts, 1761 to 1777. 

1719, Nov. 7 — Letters patent to Jacques Cortelyou and Peter 
Cortelyou of New Utrecht for a ferry between Nas- 
sau place and Staten place at rent of one pepper corn 
annually for 21 years. 

The records during the Revolutionary war are lost. 

1745 — Smallpox raged in New York, and the Colonial As- 
sembly held its sessions in Brooklyn, from March un- 
til October of this year. Again for the same reason 
the Assembly met in Brooklyn in 1752. At this ses- 
sion on the 4th of June, 1752, bills of credit issued 
by the city of New York, amounting to £3,602 18s. 
and 3d. were cancelled. 

1775 — a general town meeting was held in Brooklyn, May 
20, 1775, whereat it was voted to join with the citi- 
zens of New York and the other colonies in holding 

16 



a Provincial Congress to take such action as might he 
necessary to protect and preserve their rights. Harry 
Williams and Jan Remsen were elected delegates to 
the Congress, wheh assembled in New York May 22, 
1775. 

1776 — On May 27, 1776, the first battle of the Revolution 
after the Declaration, was fought in Brooklyn. Battle 
Pass, in Prospect Park, will ever be associated with 
the brave deeds of American's citizen soldiery. 

Wallabout Bay was the anchoring place of the old 
Jersey and other hulks used by the British as prison 
pens. Language cannot express the untold sufferings 
"of the brave men who were confined in these ships. 
Over 11,000 thousand of them were buried on the 
shores of the bay. After peace was declared John 
Jackson collected a large number of the bones of the 
martyrs, and in 1803, through his instrumentality, 
the Tammany Society presented a memorial to Con- 
gress on the subject. In 1808 this society appointed 
a committee called the Wallabout Committee, con- 
sisting of Jacob Vandervoort, John Jackson, Burdett 
Stryker, Issachar Cozzens, Robert Townsend, Jr., Ben- 
jamin Watson and Samuel Coudray, for the purpose 
of securing a suitable resting place for the heroes 
The people became interested and land was given on 
Jackson (now Hudson avenue) street by John Jack- 
son. The vault was completed in 1808. On the 26th 
of May, 1808, a grand and solemn procession escorted 
the sacred relics to the Martyrs' Tomb. These re- 
mains were subsequently removed to a tomb prepared 
by the Park Commissioners at Fort Greene. 

1776 _jacob Sharpe was clerk from 1784 to 1796; John 
Doughty was clerk from 1796 to 1830. 

17 



1785 — The first fire company was organized April 30, 1785. 
Firemen were granted certain privileges in 1788. In 
1793 there was 75 buildings in the fire limits. 

1787 — The proportion of Kings County of the State tax was 
£4,500 or one-eleventh of the entire tax. 

1788 — The State of New York was admitted in the Union 
July 26, 1788. At this time it was suggested that it 
would be necessary to built a bridge across the East 
River. 

INCORPORATION OF TOWNS. 

1788 — The first incorporation of the towns after the Revolu- 
tion was March 7, 1788. The towns thus incorpo- 
rated were Brooklyn, Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, 
Gravesend and New Utrecht. Bushwick ceased to be 
a town when it was annexed to Brooklyn by an act 
of the Legislature passed April 17, 1854, and which 
took effect January 1, 1855. The old town became 
the 18th and 19th wards of the consolidated city. 

Williamsburgh, which originally formed a part of 
Bushwick, became a village April 14, 1827, a city 
April 7, 1851, and was annexed to Brooklyn April 17, 
1854, by act of the Legislature, which took effect 
January 1, 1855. Its territor is now embraced in the 
13th, 14th, 15th and 16th wards of Brooklyn. 

The present town of New Lotts was formerly a part 
of Flatbush and was created a town February 12, 
1852. 

1801, Feb. 1 — John Jackson sold the land used by the Navy 
Yard to the government for $40,000. 

1801 — On the 2d of April, 1801, Brooklyn was organized as 
a village. 

18 



1 



1814 — The militia of Kings County was successful at Fort 
Greene under command of General Johnson. 

The first steam ferry boat, the Nassau, commenced 
running on Fulton ferry May 10, 1814. 

1816 — On the 12th of April, 1816, Brooklyn received a new 
village charter. The trustees in 1816 were John 
Garrison, Andrew Mercerin, John Dean, John Dough- 
ty and John Scoman. Charles Doughty was clerk. 

1816 — The Sunday School Union was organized in April, 
1816. 

1817 — James B. Clarke became clerk of the Board of Trus- 
tees of Brooklyn in 1817, and continued as such until 
1821. 

General Jeremiah Johnson, third Mayor of Brook- 
lyn, was Supervisor of the County from 1800 to 1823, 
and again from 1825 to 1834. He also represented 
Kings County in the Assembly in 1808-9-10, and 1840 
and 41, and was Mayor of the city from 1837 to 1839. 
He was a genial gentleman, a warm hearted friend, 
and a valued citizen. General Johnson was the best 
informed local historian Brooklyn ever had. The 
manuscripts he left behind are invaluable to local his- 
torians. He died October 20, 185 2, aged 86. He was 
the oldest Mayor ever elected in Brooklyn. 

1819 — The County Clerk's office was removed from Flatbush 
to Brooklyn March, 1819. 

1824 — At a special town meeting the purchase of 19% acres 
near Fort Greene for a hospital and burying ground 
was achieved at the cost of $3,720. 

19 



1824 — The taxable value of real and personal property in 
Brooklyn was $2,550,080. 

18 24 — The First Island Bank, first in Brooklyn, incorpo- 
rated. 

1825 — On the 21st of January, 1825, a meeting was held at 
the Military Gardens, on the site of the present Coun- 
ty Court House, and a committee appointed to obtain 
the removal of the Court House and Jail from Flat- 
bush to Brooklyn. On the 4th of July, 1825, General 
Lafayette laid the cornerstone of the Apprentices 
Library, on the corner of Cranberry and Henry 
streets. 

1826 — An act was passed that the Courts should alternate 
between Flatbush and Brooklyn. 

On the 3d of May the board of trustees of the vil- 
lage assembled for the first time in the Apprentices 
Library building. 

1826 — In this year the trustees of the village was increased 
to ten, making two in each of the first districts. 

18 2 9 — Through the instrumentality of Joseph Sprague, a 
lockup was provided, and cells were built under the 
old market in James street. In those days prisoners 
were also confined in the Almshouse on the south 
side of Nassau street, between Ivy and Bridge streets. 
When the Almshouse was removed to the building on 
Division street, the old Almshouse was sold to Mr. 
Down. The old building is still standing, having 
been converted into a dwelling. 

20 



1830 — On the 14th of January, 1830, the Supervisors pur- 
chased the Poor House Farm at Flatbush. The cor- 
nerstone of this building was laid July 9, 1831. The 
oration was delivered by General Johnson. 

1831, Jan. 12 — Application was made for a railroad between 
Brooklyn and Jamaica. 

1833 — April 25. 1833, the Legislature passed an act for the 
erection of a Court House and Jail in Kings County. 
The Supervisors were authorized to raise $25,000 for 
the purpose. 

1834 — The city of Brooklyn was incorporated April 8, 1834. 
It was divided into nine wards. 

George Hall was elected the first Mayor of the city 
by the Board of Alderman on the 20th of May, 1834. 
Mayor Hall had the honor of being also the first 
Mayor of the consolidated cities of Brooklyn and 
Williamsburg and town of Bushwick, January 1, 
1855. He died in Brooklyn April 16, 1868. He was 
a man of noble and generous impulses, and during the 
cholera epidemic of 1832-34-49 and the yellow fever 
scourge of 1856, he exerted himself to the utmost to 
relieve the wants of the sufferers. The citizens of 
Brooklyn apprciated his services and presented him 
a house. 

1833 — The assessed value of Brooklyn taxable property in 
1834 was $7,829,684 and of the rest of the county 
$1,600,594. 

1834 — An act was passed on the 27th of February, 1834, for 
the erection of a Court House and Jail in Kings 
County. 

21 



1835 — On the 16th of April, 1835, an act was passed estab- 
lishing the South Ferry. October 22, 1835, the cor- 
nerstone of Brooklyn Lyceum in Washington street, 
was laid. 

1836 — On the 10th of March, 1836, Samuel Cheever, Isaac 
Tiffany and Alonzo G. Hammond were appointed Com- 
missioners to lay out the city of Brooklyn. 

On the 17th of April, 1836, the ground was broken 
for the Long Island railroad at Jamaica. 

On the 28th of April the cornerstone for the City 
Hall was laid with suitable ceremonies. Jonathan 
Trotter, the Mayor of the city, delivered the address 
on the occasion. 

On the 4th of August, 1836, the Apprentices Li- 
brary building having been purchased, was officially 
declared to be the city's building. This building 
stood until 1858 when it was taken down. 

On the 23d of August, 1836, the cornerstone of the 
jail in Raymond street was laid. 

The ferry from Peck Slip to Williamsburgh com- 
menced running on September 5, 1836. In the month 
of May, 1836, the Atlantic Bank was incorporated. 

1837 — March 2, 1837, the Long Island Railroad was opened 
from Hicksville to Brooklyn. 

The new County Clerk's office in Cranberry street 
was first occupied July 20 of this year. 

Owing to financial crash the building of the City 
Hall was suspended August 7, 1837. As originally 
designed this building was intended to cover the en- 
tire City Hall Square. Its foundation stood for ten 
years, when a new plan was adopted and the present 
City Hall built. 

22 



1837 — The construction of the Raymond street jail was ocm- 
menced. 

1838, April 18 — Greenwood Cemetery incorporated. 
1840, June 15 — The Atlantic dock was commenced. 

1840 — The King County Court was removed from the Ap- 
prentices Libary and held in Horse Exchange build- 
ing on the corner of Cranberry and Fulton streets. 
The courtroom was on the second floor. 

1843, Sept. 12 — A line of omnibuses was started from Fulton 
Ferry to East Brooklyn. 

1844 — On the 27th of July the Long Island Railroad was 
completed to Greenpoint. 

1845, May 1 — Brooklyn City Hospital incorporated. In 
March, 184 5, the judges and supervisors designated 
Raymond street jail as the place for holding the 
courts. 

1846, May 9 — The Legislature authorized the Mayor and 

Aldermen to create an additional loan of $100,000 in 
addition to loans already authorized to build a city 
hall. 

1847 — The cornerstone of the U. S. Dry dock was laid at the 
Navy Yard May 12, 1847. The work when completed 
reflected great credit on W. I. McAlpine, the engi- 
neer. The total cost of the work was $2,133,173. 

1848 — Brooklyn first lit with gas March 27, 1848. Com- 
mencing to build sewers July 1, 1848. 

23 



The great fire in Brooklyn September 9, 1848, 
proved a disastrous event. Five entire blocks were 
consumed and parts of five others. The burnt district 
was between Washington and Henry streets, and 
Pineapple and Maine. The First Presbyterian Church 
on Fulton street, the Universalist Church, corner of 
Fulton and Pineapple, the Baptist Church in Nassau 
street, and the Sands Street Church were destroyed. 
The loss by the conflagration was between $1,500,000 
and $2,000,000. 

1849 — The cholera visited the county in May, 1849. The 
City Court organized November 24, 1849, with one 
judge. The act amended by the constitution adding 
two additional judges. The Common Council March 
10, 1849, authorized to raise $50,000 to finish the 
City Hall. 

1853 — By act of Legislature of April 12, 1853, Truant 
Home organized. 

1854 — July 4, 1854, horse cars commenced to run on Myrtle 
avenue, Fulton, Court street and Flushing avenue. 
On the two former the fare was 4 cents. 

On the 17th of July, act passed constituting Brook- 
lyn, Williamsburgh and Bushwick into a municipal 
government to take effect January 1, 1855. 

September 11 the Packer College Institute for Girls- 
as the successor of the Brooklyn Institute, opened its 
doors. 

185 4 — Although steps were taken were only later to secure 
a penitentiary for Kings County, it was not until 
January, 185 4, that the new building on Corn Hill 

24 



was occupied. On the 21st of April, 1846, an act was 
passed by the Legislature authorizing the work. In 
June, 1846, a resolution was adopted by the Board 
of Supervisors to purchase 18 acres of land at $20 
an acre. The land was purchased and bonds issued. 
The total amount so issued up to March 2, 1854, was 
$155,000. On May 3, 1855, steps were taken to build 
the female wing of the penitentiary. The peniten- 
tiary was not completed until August, 185 6. The 
total amount of bonds issued for the penitentiary 
was $205,000. On the 15th of June, 1871, a portion 
of the lots belonging to the county was sold for 
$103,525. Previous to the occupation of the present 
edifice, the old truant home on Clove road served for 
a penitentiary. 

On the 4th of July, 18 54, the horse cars com- 
menced to run. The routes were Fulton and Court 
streets, Myrtle and Flushing avenues. The fare was 
4 cents on the Myrtle and Fulton avenue routes. 

On the 17th of April, 18 54, the act consolidating 
Brooklyn, Wiliamsburg and Bushwick was passed to 
take effect January 1, 18 55. 

September 11, 1854, the Packer Institute for Girls 
as the successor of the Brooklyn Institute, opened its 
doors for the reception of pupils. 

1855 — The Fire Department of the City of Brooklyn was 
incorporated. 

On the 12th of April the Nassau Water Works of 
the City of Brooklyn was incorporated. 

The increase of business led the Supervisors to 
consider the propriety of building a new court house. 
Lots were proposed on Vanderbilt avenue. The site 
was considered unsuitable and on the 10th of Octo- 
ner, 1855, the subject was postponed indefinitely. 

25 



1856 — Ground broken July 31, 1856, for the reservoir of the 
Nassau Water Works. 

1858, Dec. 4 — Ridgewood water first introduced into the 
city. 

1859, March 19 — Academy of Music incorporated. 

1859 — On the 28th of April the citizens celebrated the in- 
troduction of water. The military were out in full 
force, and the exercises were worthy of the occasion. 
After much agitation the property owners on At- 
lantic avenue succeeded in having steam removed 
from that thoroughfare. It was a very unwise meas- 
ure as it diverted trade from Brooklyn. 

1860 — On the 17th of April, 1860, the Legislature passed an 
act to lay out Prospect Park. 

On the 17th of April 1860, the Legislature author- 
ized the Supervisors to build a new court house. The 
land was purchased in March, 1861, for $70,000. 
The ground on which the court house stands is 140 
feet on Fulton and Joralemon streets, by 351 feet 
deep. It was constructed under the direction of the 
Board of Supervisors of which body General Philip 
S. Crooke was chairman. The building committee 
were Samuel Booth, Charles C. Talbot, William H. 
Hazzard, Charles A. Carnavillo, Gilliam Schenck and 
George G. Herman. The entire cost of the building, 
land and furniture, was $551,757.28. Not a dollar 
was used needlessly in its construction. It was fin- 
ished in February, 1865. 

1861 — The War of the Rebellion aroused the patriotism of 
the Kings County boys. The Supervisors and Alder- 

26 



men worked earnestly. Citizens vied with each other 
in pledges to the families of such as volunteered. 
The Medical Society of Kings County resolved to 
render gratuitious professional services to the fam- 
ilies of soldiers during their absence. The Union 
Ferry Company offered to pay their employees fam- 
ilies their salary during their enlistment, and to em- 
ploy them on their return. The city and county was 
a vast recruiting station, and its parks and public 
places were decorated with tents. 

1862 — Commander William L. Hudson, who laid the Atlan- 
tic cable, a well known citizen of Brooklyn, died 
October 15. 

1863 — In February, 1863, the Long Island Historical So- 
ciety was organized. 

18 64 — The Sanitary Fair was opened at the Academy of 
Music on Washington's Birthday. The fair closed 
March 8, yielding $402,943.74, which was used by 
the Sanitary Commission to relieve the wants of the 
soldiers and their families. 

Aside from private contributions the county is- 
sued bonds to the extent of $726,000 for bounties to 
volunteers. 

The number of men furnished by the State of New 
York during the war was 4 67,047. It is impossible 
to state the exact number sent from Kings County. 
It was in the neighborhood of 32,000. A large num- 
ber of Kings County men enlisted elsewhere. The 
regiments from Kings rendered effective service. 

1864, April 11 — The Erie Basin and Dock Company was in- 
corporated. 

27 



1866 — Moses P. Odell, a well known citizen and member of 
Congress, died June 13. 

On the 25th of October, of this year, by order of 
the Common Council, medals were presented to every 
Brooklyn soldier who had returned alive. Addresses 
were made hy Mayor Samuel Booth, Governor Fen- 
ton, Rev. Dr. Storrs and ex-Mayor Alfred M. Wood 
(late Colonel of the 14th Regiment). Two thousand 
veterans and 148 officers appeared in the procession. 

186 9 — The paid Fire Department of Brooklyn was organized 
by act of the Legislature passed May 22, 1869. 

1870, Jan. 3 — Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge com- 
menced. The total length of the bridge is 5,989 feet. 
The first wire was run out May 29, 18 77. Cable 
making commenced June 11, 1877. The ceremonies 
attending the completion of the bridge were held 
May 24, 1883. Cars commenced to run on the bridge 
September 24, 1883. This work, which is the great- 
est engineering effort of the ages, owes its success to 
the skill and untiring energy of John A. Roebling, 
Washington A. Roebling and William C. Kingsley, 
whose labors were ably aided by Hon. J. S. T. 
Stranehan, William Marshall, Thomas Kinsella, 
Henry C. Murphy, Henry W. Slocum, Colonel Julius 
N. Adams and other members of the Board of 
Trustees. 

On the day of the opening ceremonies, prayer was 
offered by Right Rev. Bishop Littlejohn. The pre- 
sentation address on behalf of the trustees, was de- 
livered by William C. Kingsley. Addresses of accept- 
ance by Mayors Low and Edson, and orations by Hon. 
Abram S. Hewitt and Rev. Dr. Storr s . Hon James S. 
T. Stranehan presided. 

28 



The cost of the work was about $15,000,000. The 
• money was well invested. 

1876 — Work upon the new municipal building was com- 
menced in 1876, under an act passed May 1, 1876. 
The building was completed in 18 78. The amount 
appropriated for its construction was $200,000. The 
cost of the building was $199,979.48, or $20 52/100 
less than the appropriation. 

1877 — On the 2 2d of August the Supervisors appropriated 
$25,000 to purchase a site for the new jail. The 
land was purchased and on December 30, 1878, the 
County Treasurer was authorized to borrow $245,000 
and advertise for .proposals to build the jail. On the 
2 2d of April, 188 0, the Supervisors officially visited 
and inspected the building. Almost immediately 
therefore the prisoners were transferred from the old 
to the new jail. The cost of the building and land 
was $320,393.12. 

18 78 — Railroad to Brighton Beach completed and com- 
menced operations July 1, 1878. 

1880, April 15 — The closing services in old St. Ann's Epis- 
copal Church, previous to its removal by the Bridge 
Trustees was held. Bishop Littlejohn officiating. 

1884, Nov. 4 — The vote of Kings County was 122,799. 
Cleveland's majority 15,715. 

1885 — On the 21st of February William C. Kingsley, the de- 
signer of the bridge, departed this life. Brooklyn 
and Kings County lost a valuable citizen whose place 
could never be filled. 

On the 15th of January, 1885, ground was broken 
for the Federal building on Washington street. 

29 



1885 — On the 13th of May, 1885, the Brooklyn Elevated 
Railroad commenced running its cars from York* 
street to the corner of Broadway and Gates avenue. 

1885 — In December, 1885, cornerstone of the new Hall of 
Records laid. 

The following is a list of the Mayors of Brooklyn: 
George Hall, elected 1834; Jonathan Trotter, elected 
1835; Jeremiah Johnson, elected 1837; Cyrus P. 
Smith, elected 1839; Henry C. Murphy, elected 18 42; 
Joseph Sprague, elected 1843; Thomas G. Talmage, 
elected 1845; Francis G. Stryker, elected 1846; Ed- 
ward Copeland, elected 1849; Samuel Smith, elected 
1850; Conklin Brush, elected 1851; Edward A. Lam- 
bert, elected 1853; George Hall, elected 1855; Sam- 
uel S. Powell, elected 1857; Martin Kalbfleisch, 
elected 1862; Alfred M. Wood, elected 18 63; Samuel 
Booth, elected 1866; Martin Kalbfleisch, elected 
1867; Samuel S. Powell, elected 1871; John W. Hun- 
ter, elected 18 73; Frederick Schroeder, elected 1875; 
James Howell, Jr., elected 1877; Seth Low, elected 
1881. 

Seven ex-Mayors are still living, to wit: Stryker, 
Lambert, Wood, Booth, Hunter, Schroeder and How- 
ell. Francis B. Stryker is the oldest living ex-Mayor 
and the oldest ex-Sheriff. John M. Hicks is the old- 
est living ex-County Clerk, having been elected in 
1843, and Francis B. Stryker is the next oldest, hav- 
ing been elected in 1849. 

Population of county at different periods: 1790, 
4,495; 1800, 5,740;" 1820, 11,187; 1830, 20,535; 
1835, 32,037; 1840, 47,623; 1850, 138,882; 1860, 
279,122; 1870, 419,921; 1880, 599,549; 1885, about 
725,000. 

30 



MANUFACTURES. 

The census of the United States presents a very 
interesting exhibit of the manufactures of Brooklyn. 
The capital invested amounted to $68,828,703, pro- 
ducing a return of $188,573,056. There was 5,164 
establishments giving employment to 45,206 hands, 
of whom 6,891 were females. During the year $22,- 
903,683 was paid for wages. The sum of $10,946,000 
was invested in the manufacture of sugar, yielding 
a production of $59,711,168. The census placed 
Brooklyn first as a sugar refining center; third in the 
number of manufacturing establishments; fourth in 
amount of capital invested and amount of wages 
paid; fifth in number of hands employed; fourth in 
amount of products, and first in average wages. By* 
the census of 1880 it appears that there was manu- 
factured in Brooklyn 39,485,335 cigars, 2,396,140 
cigarettes, and 3,000,000 pounds of plug and fine 
chewing tobacco, using 5,060,836 pounds of leaf and 
other material. 

COMMERCE. 

More vessels load and unload in Brooklyn than in 
any other city in the Union. 

Valuation and taxation of Brooklyn at different 
periods: 

Date. Valuation. Taxation. 

1834 $15,642,200 

184 « 25,447,146 $134,139.66 

18 50 36,665,399 411,044.78 

1856 $95,859,735 $1,381,144.39 

The foregoing did not include Williamsburgh. 

1883 — Valuation of real and personal property in Brooklyn, 
$298,936,506. 

31 



In city towns $12,951,657; total $311,888,163. 
The aggregate amount raised in Kings County by 
taxation was $7,783,062.05. In 1884 real and per- 
sonal property in Brooklyn was $317,874,350. 



SCHOOLS. 

Brooklyn has a large number of excellent private 
schools and a medical college. Besides these she has 
one public central grammar school, 4 2 grammar 
schools, 9 primary schools, 3 colored schools and 2 
attendance schools. Number on register last report 
65,782; average attendance 56,718. The tax levy of 
18 84 gave the Board of Education $1,333,945.19 for 
educational purposes. The county towns are abun- 
dantly supplied with public schools. 

In Brooklyn there are 4 nurseries, 6 orphan 
asylums, over 100 benevolent societies, 19 Grand 
Army Posts, 74 Masonic lodges and chapters, and 5 4 
lodges of Oddfellows. The city in its Brooklyn Li- 
brary boasts of one of the best selected libraries in 
the United States. 

Cereals raised in Kings County in 1880: 

Acres. Bushels. 

Buckwheat 7 142 

Corn 1,256 52,990 

Oats 88 2,052 

Rye 88 2,652 

Wheat 139 3,242 

The census of 188 shows that in Kings County 
1,05 6 acres was appropriated to raising hay, produc- 
ing 1,496 tons; that 772,246 bushels of potatoes 
were raised, and the value of garden products was 
$842,617. 

32 



The number of farms was 486; numiber of acres 
under cultivation, 9075; value of farms and build- 
ings, $4,872,855; value of farming implements, 
$224,550; value of live stock, $254,728; cost of fer- 
tilizers, $212,173; and estimated value of produc- 
tions, $1,211,000. 



CHURCHES. 

There are 28 5 churches in the city of Brooklyn, 
and about 30 in the county towns. The Dutch 
Church was the first organized in 1660. The Epis- 
copal Church was started in Brooklyn about 1785, 
and was incorpated April 23, 178 7. 

179 4, May 19 — The first Methodist Episcopal Church was 
incorporated. They erected a church on Sands street 
and their successors still cling to the sacred spot. 

1818, Jan. 12 — The African Methodist Church was incor- 
porated. 

1822, March 13 — The first Presbyterian Church was incor- 
porated, and built an edifice in Cranberry street. In 
184 6 the church was sold to the Plymouth congrega- 
tion. 

The cornerstone of St. John's Roman Catholic 
Church on Jay street, was laid June 25, 1822. It is 
probably the oldest church edifice in the city. 

The first Baptist Church was incorporated October 
15, 1823. 

The membership in the Protestant churches is 
about 77,000. With the membership of the Roman 

33 



Catholic branch of the church of Christ added to this 
number, it will appear that at least one-fifth of the 
population profess the Christian religion. A recent 
report gives the number of Sunday school scholars 
in Brooklyn as 84,570. 

There are over 85,000 buildings in Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn contains 13,338 acres, 546 miles of 
streets, of which 3 35 are paved. The parks and 
cemetaries contain 1,347 acres. 

The amount earned by the Brooklyn Post Office 
over and above expenses for the years 1880, 1881 
and 1882, was $325,714.82. The amount turned 
over into the treasury last year was about $140,000. 



DEPARTMENT OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTION. 

This excellently managed branch of county service 
deserves more than a passing notice. 

The Commissioners made their last annual report 
July 31, 18 8*4. At that time there was remaining in 
the Almshouse 875, in the Hospital 35 7, in the In- 
sane Asylum 1,330, and in the Penitentiary 934, 
making a total of 8,877 inmates in these institutions. 
During the year the number of admissions was as 
follows: Into Almshouse, 3,072; Hospital, 3,313; In- 
sane Asylum, 479; Penitentiary, 2,260; total, 9,133. 
The total number maintained and treated during the 
year was 12,373. The average number of inmates 
was 3,390; average cost of each person supported 
during year was $80.4 0; average cost of each per 
week was $1.55 or twenty-two cents a day. The 
total amount of disbursements was $401,588,74; total 

34 



amount of receipts $129,047,96, leaving the actual 
expenses $272,540.78. 

On the Almshouse Farm there was raised 1,527 
bushels of potatoes, 550 bushels of turnips, 7,500 
heads of cabbage, 14,6 75 pounds of pork, and a large 
quantity of vegetables. 

In the Almshouse 4 males and 12 females between 
85 and 95 years of age received support. Of these 
admitted during the year 1,534 were males and 1,538 
females; 551 were children under 12 years of age; 
848 were single, and 101 died. 



KINGS COUNTY HOSPITAL. 

The number of patients under treatment during 
the year was 2,317 males and 1,344 females, total 
3,661; of whom 1,5 8 recovered and 391 died. Thus 
it will appear that 43 per cent, recovered and 11 per 
cent. died. The principal nationalities of the pa- 
tients were: Jewish, 1,284; United States, 1,19 0, 
and Germany, 3 8 5, of these admitted 3 were physi- 
cians and 3 teachers. 



INSANE ASYLUM. 

During the year there was 1,713 patients in this 
asylum, 4 7 recovered and 101 died; 2 25 males and 
254 females were admitted during the year. 



35 



PENITENTIARY. 

The receipts from all sources during the year 
$91,702.84, the expenses $73,998.42, leaving a 
profit over and above the disbursements of $ 
704.42. Thsis surplus was the largest ever reali 

Prisoners were received from the United St 
courts and from Kings, Queens, Westchester 

Richmond counties; 1,647 of the inmates c 
read and write; 102 could read only, and 520 c 
neither real nor write; 1,246 were single and 1 
married; 7 79 were temperate and 1,496 intemper 
329 were under 20 years. 



36 



H(,i 



75- !** 




:•_ ^ , c ?rm±. °... & /<^s&*\ -. 













tjgP N.MANCHESTER, C° *W^i^ 



INDIANA 



m 



^ 






itti&yA 






